Rhetoric at Inauguration Resonated With Most Voters

Jaron Benjamin is the executive director of the Metropolitan Council on Housing.

Updated January 3, 2014, 10:34 AM

When I first read the criticisms of some of the remarks at the inaugural ceremony, I wondered if I had perhaps heard a different event altogether.

Harry Belafonte, Rev. Fred Lucas Jr., Ramya Ramana and Public Advocate Letitia James are being accused of rudeness toward Mayor Bloomberg. But each of these speakers could have been much more critical of him in detailing our city's income and racial disparities.

The Bloomberg administration was more than rude to communities of color and low and moderate-income people.

Those accusing the speakers of rudeness may have suddenly forgotten that Mayor Bill de Blasio’s “Tale of Two Cities” campaign rhetoric resonated with the overwhelming majority of New York City voters. Anyone who has listened to Ms. James would know she has been far more critical of Bloomberg in other venues. Belafonte has criticized stop-and-frisk many times in the past.

Perhaps Bloomberg's defenders have ignored what James, Belafonte and other people of color have been saying for years.

The Bloomberg administration was more than rude to communities of color and low and moderate-income people. Are Bloomberg’s defenders worried about being stopped by the police while walking in their own neighborhoods? They probably don't live in a building that has fallen into disrepair because the city won’t fund repairs, while luxury condo owners get millions of city dollars in tax breaks. Chances are, a disproportionate number of their friends and family aren't homeless or spending the night in jail because of an improper marijuana arrest.

The election results show most people in this city are tired of these disparities and want to move forward together. Mayor de Blasio should keep his campaign promises no matter how rude it may seem to Bloomberg.